Laryngeal Cleft

What is it?

an abnormal opening in the airway

What does it cause?

choking, swallowing, and breathing problems

How are children affected?

Some babies choke and inhale milk into their airway when they try to drink.

Some cannot drink at all.

Tragically, in severe cases, some will die.

Theo was born with a type 3B laryngeal cleft in 2004. His journey lasted over 20 years and included three endoscopic surgeries and one open repair. Special thanks to Melodic Caring for creating this video and supporting Theo during his open repair in 2023.

Information Hub

  • Clefts 101

    What is a laryngeal cleft? Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

  • Resources

    Build a team of providers, learn about current care guidelines, download PDFs, and more.

  • Hero Journeys

    Learn how families navigated their child's journey with a laryngeal cleft.

  • Published Research

    Browse a list of published research pertaining to laryngeal clefts.

  • Genetic Advancements

    Participate in research to help determine the cause of this congenital condition.

Recent Journeys